I agree here. If you want it, and can afford it, go for it! Do you need it? Nope.

Sasquatch hit the nail on the head. High end rods are nice, but you don't need one. I say get one if you can.

For the first several years that I fly fished I had one outfit that cost less than $100. I never had a problem catching fish and the only reason I bought another rod was because I broke the first one. Then I got gear junkie fever... seems like an incurable disease!

You need a tool that'll do the job - the right tool makes it much easier and fun.Maybe speak to some of the shops out there to see what to expect in the way of wind, distance of casting etc and what they use or recommend then try a few rods that might work. See if anyone can let you try a rod on the stream so you know what it's like to actually fish with it - not just spend 15 min in a parking lot.

I got a high end rod on closeout -a Sage XP 6 wt, turned out to be one that cast great in a parking lot but is not so great on some trout streams. Since then I try a rod with the idea it will be a "fishing" rod and not a parking lot "casting" rod and found that while winstons (WT series) may seem wimpy in the parking lot some of them are really nice when I'm actually fishing them, much nicer than the XP.

$800 is a lot of money for a "fishin' pole" and you don't want to be let down - a lot of guys like the old HMG and you might like it better (or a new model like it) after trying a few.

I will say this, I've seen you cast Fade. Your best bet is to get someone to cast for you and then have them hand you back the rod.

But seriously, I have 3 Sage Rods, a Scott, a Batson and a Redington. My favorite is my first generation Sage Graphite which I paid $150 for. My next is my Batson which I also paid $150 and my least favorite is the Sage Second Generation which I paid top dollar, like $350 15 years ago. Everyone in this thread makes great points but bottom line, only you can decide whether the extra money makes a difference to your satisfaction (even if it is only psychological). Good tools can make all the difference but even a top of the line lathe is only as good as the guy operating it. So for me, I can look just as bad casting a Cabelas rod as I can a top of the line Sage! Enjoy your trip!

Fade, after watching the video, I wouldn't feel like I had to buy any "special" gear. I'd go in w/ what I'm comfortable with (also a Fenwick!), and I know holds up to battles. Remember "The Ghost and the Darkness"!? Never go into battle with an untrusted gun!

we live in wonderful times, when great echo carbon rods are out there as closeouts for $120 or even less. get one of those matched to your fishing, casting, fish, and stream, and there's no need for big $ stuff.

k-bob wrote:we live in wonderful times, when great echo carbon rods are out there as closeouts for $120 or even less. get one of those matched to your fishing, casting, fish, and stream, and there's no need for big $ stuff.

Or you trade flies for a rod when someone doesn't want their nice rod any longer.

Of course you dont "need" a high end fly rod. We dont really "need" much in our day to day lives. So the question is "want" and what is the benefit?

I own three premium rods and I have some serious dough wrapped up in them. Two Orvis Helios and one Hardy Zenith. I feel like it is money well spent and I wont buy another rod for probably 15-20 years.

Do I perceive a marked performance increase over my prior mid tier or low end rods? Absolutely...better rods, better reels, lighter, faster, distance, accuracy, you name it...all better. Does it help me catch more fish or trophy fish. Probably, but only marginally.

You could use a stick and a leader and if you present the right fly with the right drift you'll have a fish on. Your skills and fly selection will always trump rod performance. But I think its like driving a luxury automoble versus an every day car. Same functionality, but you sure as hell appreciate of the "premium" you paid for the luxury car. They are just better.

That being said because its a "want" only you can determine if its money well spent. Me? I would say yes....